THE PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT
Discuss It – Matthew 18:21-35
- What makes forgiveness difficult?
- What acts of mercy have you seen or heard about recently?
- What are some situations others have faced that you would find difficult to forgive?
- In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, what did the king want to do? (Matthew 18:23)
- How was the king prepared to get the large amount of money owed him by a particular servant? (Matthew 18:24–25)
- How did the king graciously respond to the indebted servant’s desperate plea? (Matthew 18:27)
- What did the servant go do after his debt was cancelled? (Matthew 18:28)
- How did the king react to the news he heard? (Matthew 18:32–34)
- How did Jesus apply this parable to His followers? (Matthew 18:35)
Apply It
- How likely are we to forgive someone once, twice, or even three times?
- How likely are people to forgive someone beyond three times?
- How are we to interpret Jesus’ answer, “seventy-seven times”?
- Why is an unforgiving spirit so deadly?
- In what ways has God shown mercy in forgiving our sins?
- If God is so willing to forgive us, why are we sometimes unwilling to forgive others?
- How do we sometimes forgive with strings attached?
- What should we do if we don’t feel like forgiving others?
- How is it possible for us to forgive the wrongs others have done to us?
- What individual(s) do you need to “release from their debts” today?
- What are some practical ways you can show mercy today to someone who has wronged you?